[Chapter 619: My Requirements?]
According to the project plan formulated by Eric, the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show had to air before the annual television winter hiatus in early December. This timing would not only secure the best ratings and advertising impact but also drive a wave of sales during the New Year's shopping season, achieving a win-win situation.
The annual show required about a month of post-production from filming to broadcast. Since this was the first time such a large-scale annual show was being organized, preliminary preparations and rehearsals also needed several months of adequate planning. Therefore, even though it was only late June, the project had to get started early, allowing Eric to schedule his time with ease amidst his busy agenda.
The Firefly Studios, specifically Studio 11, had been set up as a project workspace according to Eric's requests. At that moment, Eric was in a small conference room, separated from the main set within the studio, where he was briefing Emily Brighton, who had flown in from New York along with other high-ranking LTD executives and his personal production team, on the entire Victoria's Secret show plan.
"...The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is essentially a large advertisement. This time, we are not aiming at fashion magazine editors or the buyers from retail chains; our audience is the average viewer sitting at home. We cannot expect ordinary people to distinguish how outstanding a model's strut is, nor can they determine a brand's market potential just by reviewing a lingerie design aesthetic. What we need to provide them are the things they want to see: beautifully perfect bodies, a stunning stage, and catchy, upbeat music. My goal is to make the Victoria's Secret show the Oscars of the fashion world, where only the best supermodels can appear. I want everyone to associate supermodels with the Victoria's Secret show, rather than a handful of fashion magazines casually bestowing titles."
After Eric's brief introduction, the LTD executives and his dedicated team began to raise their questions. Eric patiently answered each one as they discussed the project for over an hour, gaining a better understanding of what Eric needed.
Before they knew it, there was a buzz of chatter outside the conference room. A staff member knocked and entered, saying, "Mr. Williams, Ms. Brighton, the models have arrived."
"Alright, we'll stop here for today. I'll carve out time later to discuss the details with everyone," Eric replied, clapping his hands before adding with a smile, "Now, if anyone wants to see some beautiful women, feel free to stay; there's an absolutely stunning group of beauties outside."
Everyone chuckled and got up. Eric's core production team had their own tasks to tackle, so they couldn't linger. Even the LTD executives who had flown in from headquarters were eager to return to New York and other locations after this meeting.
In the end, only Eric and Emily remained, along with Edward Razek, the creative director of Victoria's Secret, whom Eric specifically invited. Razek had been responsible for producing the show since 1992, though Eric believed the show truly matured only after 2007 and 2008. Before that, most shows were still experimental, and the pre-2000 Victoria's Secret shows were hardly different from standard fashion shows. This time, Eric intended to adopt the format of the post-2010 shows, understanding he could not oversee every detail himself. He thought to involve Razek in the project's operations, eventually passing the show duties to him.
...
As the attendees gradually departed, Emily asked the remaining core team members to head out and prepare, leaving just Eric, Edward Razek, and herself. Emily then pulled out a prepared document and handed it to Eric. "This is a list of 40 candidates that Edward and I have narrowed down privately. Some are internal models we've already signed, while the rest are from various modeling agencies. Elite and Ford alone have pushed forward over 80 models, with a total of 150 candidates from all agencies. LTD collaborates closely with these agencies, and we can't afford to offend them. So, on the surface, we promised them you could personally select. When the auditions happen, just focus on these individuals; however, if you find others you like, feel free to adjust as needed."
Eric initially set out to have about forty in the team, so this sudden influx caught him off guard. After understanding the reasons behind it, he simply nodded in response. The fashion and modeling industries were intricately linked, and LTD, as a mid-tier fashion brand, aimed not to provoke giants like Elite and Ford for fear of complications in future advertising productions. However, this was not an issue Eric concerned himself with.
As Eric perused the list, Emily continued, "Regarding the endorsements, we've already signed Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington from your proposed five. Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell have expressed interest as well, but they don't want to waste too much time on this show, especially Cindy. I heard she secured a major deal with Warner and won't have much time to devote to the runway."
A 1990 issue of Vogue famously showcased photographs of the five most influential fashion models, introducing the term 'supermodel' for the first time. The names Emily mentioned included four of those five. The last supermodel, German model Tatjana Patitz, had since retired. Claudia Schiffer was poised to fill Patitz's spot, but since Eric appeared on the scene, Claudia had transitioned smoothly into Hollywood, leaving her modeling career behind.
Although these supermodels attracted flocks in the fashion industry, Eric wasn't overly impressed. The Victoria's Secret show had been dubbed the "End of the Supermodel Era" because many in later years criticized it for diminishing the perceived value of supermodels, relegating them to mere circus acts for mass entertainment. Yet, it was also undeniable that any model who hadn't walked the Victoria's Secret runway had a tough time achieving supermodel status. Furthermore, the list of top-earning models often included those who emerged from the Victoria's Secret shows.
Hearing Emily's comments, Eric said, "Since they're not interested in the runway, let's focus on nurturing our other three endorsers."
Edward Razek interjected, "Eric, while we might not care about Naomi Campbell, I believe it's best to have another chat with Ms. Crawford. She's the most popular among the supermodels."
Eric closed the catalog and smiled at Razek. "Edward, remember, starting now, whoever Victoria's Secret declares as the top supermodel will enjoy real popularity. If they turn down this opportunity, they won't have a shot at this stage again."
With that, Eric picked up the catalogue and headed out. Emily paused for a second, waiting until Eric left the room to awkwardly address Razek. "Edward, don't take it personally; this guy can be insufferably self-assured sometimes, but more often than not, he turns out to be right."
Razek, of course, didn't mind and didn't think he had any standing to care about such things with someone as prominent as Eric. After Emily's consolation, he couldn't help but ask, "Emily, is the thing you mentioned a few days ago true?"
"What?" Emily paused, quickly recalling, and nodded, "Of course it's true. Eric may serve as director this year, but he won't want to do that indefinitely. It seems he dislikes repeating tasks. He won't even direct Jurassic Park 2 himself. So, the show next year may very well be under your control. You'd better pay close attention and remember every detail from him."
With a confirmed response, Razek's anxious thoughts settled. "Emily, if Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford are out, do you think it's possible to get Claudia Schiffer back on the runway? She was a top model, and her popularity exceeds that of most others now."
"That's a good idea, but the chances are slim. Claudia Schiffer is currently focusing on Hollywood, and her fee has skyrocketed to $5 million. She's probably not inclined to waste a few months of her schedule on a fashion show."
Razek flashed an enigmatic smile and lowered his voice. "If we approach her, there's no chance, but what if Eric steps in to say hello?"
Emily paused momentarily, then her eyes lit up. "That's a great idea. I'll give it a shot right away."
As they chatted about this, Razek and Emily left the conference room together. After hesitating for a bit, Razek found an excuse to head to the restroom. Once in a secluded area, he called someone and quickly conveyed a few words.
...
Unlike the actors' audition rooms, the model casting space resembled a professional photography studio. To visually display the models' performance on the runway effectively, the spacious room was equipped with backdrops, lighting rigs, and softboxes. Eric felt as if he had returned to the days of working in an advertising company shooting print ads, except this time he didn't have to oversee everything personally. With just a word, he could have the world's best top models presented for his selection.
Thumbing through the thick roster, alongside the two confirmed supermodels, he recognized familiar names from his past life: Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks, Kate Moss, and more. Compared to those first few years, Eric had developed immunity to the allure of beautiful faces. After all, things that come too easily tend to diminish the thrill of the chase. Perhaps this was why the proportion of homosexuals was so high in Hollywood and the fashion industry.
Upon hearing that Emily wanted Claudia to walk the runway again, Eric nodded. "That's not a bad idea. I'll reach out to Claudia and see if she has availability. If not, then we'll let that go."
Emily replied, "If you personally ask, do you really think she won't have any availability?"
Eric shrugged. "I'm trying to be an understanding good guy, not a tyrant."
"Oh, well, you good guy must be pretty lucky," Emily quipped, then added, "You haven't visited Kevin and Elia in New York for a few months, have you?"
Eric shot back, "A thirty-something woman who won't marry or have kids doesn't get to critique me."
Surrounded by staff, their playful banter unintentionally halted as they shifted topics.
Since most of the list was already established, the so-called auditions were merely formalities. Ignoring the blatant flirtations and the many "unexpected" falls of bras throughout the casting session, everyone in the audition room had their fill of visual treats.
After another group of models walked out, Emily finally couldn't keep from complaining. "What do they think this place is? They don't have to be so desperate to catch attention."
Eric turned a page in the documents. "Could you stop looking at me when you say 'catch attention'?"
Emily shot him a sideways glance. "Don't say I didn't warn you, Eric. None of these girls in the circle are wallflowers. If you mess with any of them casually, they won't hesitate to expose everything about your performance in bed and your size in the tabloids for publicity."
"Alright, you've successfully scared me," Eric said jokingly.
Emily scoffed and then instructed the staff to call in the next group of models.
Three tall figures clad in Victoria's Secret's new lingerie entered one after another, and Eric instantly noticed the blonde beauty standing in the center. He flipped through the list of names under the documents but couldn't find hers.
Razek followed the routine, prompting the models to introduce themselves and strut their stuff before he began asking various questions.
Eric held up a document and leaned closer to Emily. "Why isn't Diane Kruger on the list? She was the winner of the Elite Model Look Germany in 1992 and has outstanding qualifications."
Emily glanced at the photo, then turned to admire Diane's runway walk for a moment before looking down again. "She was initially on our shortlist, but we dropped her based on your original requirements."
Eric was taken aback. "My requirements?"
*****
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